Developing the whole person is at the heart of everything we do at Ockbrook School. From the first steps in the School at Nursery or Primary level, through to Sixth Form, we focus on developing our pupils’ skills for life, as well as their academic ability.

Around the School we pride ourselves on the happy atmosphere that touches everyone. It is a calm, relaxed learning environment in which friendships flourish and pupils achieve.

We are proud of our history as one of the oldest and longest achieving girls’ schools in the UK. We were established in 1799 and still maintain a Christian ethos whilst welcoming pupils from all faiths.

Our exemplary Independent School's Inspectorate Inspection in February 2006 reflects the commitment we all share in the pursuit of excellence at all levels within the School. It is a testimony to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the School – from my teaching and support staff, to students, parents and governors. It also reflects the success we have enjoyed in developing the whole School, from Nursery and Primary provision, all the way through to our expanded Sixth Form and high achieving Senior Department.

We hope you will join us and experience the confidence and achievements that express best the spirit of Ockbrook School.

Alison SteeleHead Teacher

ADMISSIONS

Ockbrook School is an independent school for girls aged 3-18 and boys aged 3-11. Admission is mainly at ages 3, 5, 11 and 16 years.

Prospective pupils aged 5-10 years are invited to spend at least one session in School working alongside pupils of their own age group, as part of the assessment process. Prospective pupils aged 11-16 years are required to sit the School’s Entrance Examination. Year 7 (age 11) and Sixth Form Entrance Examinations take place each year in January.

If you and your child are interested in experiencing the spirit of Ockbrook School, we have an annual Open Day in the Autumn Term when you are invited to visit and see the day-to-day life at the School. You can also arrange to visit the School and meet the Head Teacher at other times by contacting the School’s Admissions Secretary on 01332 673532 or by email - enquiries@ockbrook.derby.sch.uk

EARLY YEARS

Our Early Years pupils enjoy a wide range of activities, learning to play and work together in small, personal groups. We emphasise building your child’s sense of security and social and behavioural skills. We find that it is from these solid foundations that our children explore, learn and flourish.

"Ockbrook School provides high quality early years provision. Children are making very good progress towards the Early Learning Goals and many will exceed them by the end of the Foundation Stage. Teaching is exceptionally good and provides children with the balance between challenge and support which enables them to make excellent progress in all areas of the programme, in a rich and stimulating learning environment."Ockbrook OFSTED Nursery Inspection Report 2004

Children are valued as individuals from the moment they step into our School. We encourage them to care for themselves and to take an increasing interest in the needs of others - in School, locally and in the world around them.

We place involvement at the heart of the Ockbrook experience - from creating and performing new drama and informal concerts, to planning assemblies, supporting charities or preparing entries for external design competitions.

Taking part in sport develops teamworking and leadership and serves as an outlet for individual creativity and expression. Social skills are developed helping our pupils to grow in confidence and to achieve. Your reward is to see how enthusiastically they respond to these challenges.

Our Senior Department is one in which our young people enjoy learning. It is a mature and supportive community that continues to build confidence and life skills to a level that equips students for success in senior positions within industry and the professions, as well as in their personal lives.

Our young people also benefit from the focus attributed commonly to single gender schools and our achievements are a true reflection of this.

We celebrate team success including league champions in hockey, netball and cross-country, and encourage and develop the potential of individuals who excel in specialist areas. Our extended extra curricular activities offer something for all our pupils to enjoy.

SIXTH FORM

Our Sixth Formers are respected as young adults and treated accordingly. We believe it is of equal importance that we help our students develop their life skills, as it is to enable them to achieve academic excellence.

We provide our Sixth Formers with the scope for specialisation in a wide range of subjects at AS and A2 levels, whilst encouraging students to broaden their knowledge, understanding and skills. Students benefit from their own study centres (separate facilities for Lower and Upper Sixth students), personal study workstations and recreation areas.

Examination successes are particularly important at A level, not least because they open doors to opportunities. Ockbrook School has a sustained record of achievement with overall pass rates of girls taking three or more A Level subjects as high as 100%. A majority of girls achieve grades A to B from the range of over 20 AS and A2 level subjects on offer.

Entrants to Oxbridge and other premier universities have gone on to study a diverse range of subjects, from criminology to veterinary science, medicine to oceanography, equine studies to business studies as well as accounting, law, sciences, politics, economics, marketing and theatre studies – many of these degree courses requiring straight As or A and B grades.